CharacterKuru royal family
Bhishma: FAQ & Sources
भीष्मGrand sire of the Kurus; first commander of the Kaurava army. Also called Devavrata, Gangeya, Pitamaha.
Bhishma is the grand sire of the Kurus, known for his lifelong vow, who commands the Kaurava army at Kurukshetra and is one of the elders Arjuna cannot bear to fight.
RoleGrand sire of the Kurus; first commander of the Kaurava army
AllegianceThe Kauravas
GroupKuru royal family
KingdomHastinapura
FatherShantanu
MotherGanga
Frequently asked questions
Who was Bhishma?
Devavrata, son of Shantanu and Ganga, the grand sire of the Kurus who took a lifelong vow of celibacy.
Why is he called Bhishma?
The name comes from the terrible (bhishana) vow he took never to marry or claim the throne.
What is Bhishma's role in the Bhagavad Gita?
He is the commander of the Kaurava army and his conch call in 1.12 opens the war; Arjuna names him among the elders he cannot fight.
Who defeated Bhishma?
Arjuna struck him down with arrows on the tenth day, with Shikhandi placed in front of him.
When did Bhishma die?
He lay on a bed of arrows and chose to die after the sun turned north, using his boon of choosing the time of death.
Sources and further reading
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